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  • 1 year ago
The department of History at the University of West Indies has launched a book featuring authors from the Caribbean who made contributions to discussions on matters such as colonialism, reparations and monuments, all in the context of pre and post-colonial Caribbean.


Faith Cheruiyot has more.
Transcript
00:00The book, titled Independence, Colonial Relics and Monuments in the Caribbean,
00:04confronts legacies of colonialism in the context of pre- and post-colonial Caribbean.
00:09And with Emancipation and Independence Day coming up, Dr Debbie McCollin, the head of the Department
00:14of History at the University of West Indies, stresses the significance of the book in shaping
00:19the Caribbean historical narrative. She says the perspective discussed makes it global in its reach.
00:26The book explores perspectives on the independence and legacies of the post-colonial Caribbean
00:33through themes related to culture, identity, gender, nationhood, heritage, and historic
00:41preservation. Nevertheless, through the comparative analysis expressed in the reflections on
00:49developments such as the Black Lives Matter movement, chapter two, the book is indeed global
00:58in its reach. Speaking on the relevance of her chapter in the book, which covers the history of
01:03three religious monuments in south and central of Trinidad, author and contributor Shane Albert said
01:10this chapter serves as education for Hindu and non-Hindu persons across the region. This essay
01:16was done so that the general public, and especially Caribbean youth, would have easy access to
01:22information to gain knowledge about our local communities, our local histories, and monuments
01:29that highlight many unsung heroes that have sacrificed for these monuments to exist and be
01:34upheld, who would have otherwise remained unknown. The contributions on the book covers authors from
01:40the Caribbean region, namely Barbados, Curacao, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Alison Ramsey,
01:48one of the editors from Barbados, says the events of the Black Lives movement in the United States,
01:53as well as the protests on colonialism and colonial monuments across the different parts of
01:58the world, raised questions on the state of the Caribbean nations. An excerpt on this topic reads,
02:04It is without a doubt that George Floyd's murder had an impact and effect on the Caribbean. Each
02:11Caribbean nation was forced into introspection, questioning the state of their decolonization and
02:17the influence of colonial legacies and retentions. Ashley Morris, an author on the chapter covering
02:23the history of the five islands in Trinidad and Tobago, said it is a testament to those who came
02:28before us to preserve these monuments. Some are of the view that colonial relics should be
02:35torn down as a physical manifestation of our efforts at decolonization.
02:42They argue that places and objects are symbols of oppression in our collective past
02:50and tangible reminders of the blood, sweat, and tears shed by countless souls. However,
02:57when I look at them, I see the skill, ingenuity, and livelihood of my ancestors.
03:04These monuments, while rooted in a colonial context, are also a testament to the resilience
03:10and creativity of those who came before. The Department of History at the University of West
03:16Indies hopes that the book creates the impact intended and allows discussion on the highlighted
03:22topics and more. Faith Chariot, TV6 News.
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